Follower of Michael Dahl Portrait of Henri de Massue, 2nd Marquis de Ruvigny, Earl of Galway, PC (1648-1720) in armour, holding a baton Inscribed l.r., oil on canvas 126 x 100cm Provenance: Christie's sale, 1910; Olantigh Towers, Kent, The Property of the Trustees of the late J S W S Erle Drax (old label to the reverse); Cheffins, Grain and Chalk, Cambridge, 'The Contents of Badmondisfield Hall, Wickhambrook, Suffolk', 11 February 1983, Lot 79; Wood Hall, Arkesden, Essex. Henri de Massue, 2nd Marquis de Ruvigny, Earl of Galway, PC (9 April 1648-3 September 1720) was a French Huguenot soldier and diplomat who was influential in the English service in the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1690, having gone into exile with his fellow Huguenots, he entered the service of William II of England as a major-general, thereby forfeiting his French estates. In July 1691 he distinguished himself at the Battle of Aughrim, and in 1692 he was for a time commander-in-chief in Ireland. In November of that year he was created Viscount Galway and Baron Portarlington, and received a large grant of seized estates in Ireland. The title had previously belonged to Ulick Burke, 1st Viscount Galway, a Jacobite officer who had been killed at Aughrim. In 1693 he fought at Neerwinden and was wounded. In 1694, with the rank of lieutenant-general, he was sent to command a force in English pay that was to assist the Duke of Savoy against the French. Condition report: Oil on canvas which has been lined, the original tacking margin is visible in the picture plane along the left hand edge. The paint layer has a network of age cracks, in some areas this is raised and cupped. There is wear and abrasion around the edges of the canvas. The varnish is dull but even. The original gilding on the frame is covered with metallic paint, there are a few chips and losses.